Expert Doctors Say Fireworks Injuries To This Body Part Are Skyrocketing

O say can you see! Oohing and ahhing over bright bursts of fireworks calls us to pause and remember what it means to live in a free country. An American Pyrotechnics Association has reported that an impressive 273 million pounds of fireworks were set off in 2023.

But for those planning to attend neighborhood firework displays or backyard festivities this summer, expert doctors are offering a warning: Before you see the rocket’s red glare up close—especially lit by a non-professional—make sure you’re taking the proper precautions.

First, it’s important to know whether it’s legal to set off fireworks where you live. According to our sibling site, Reader’s Digest, most states allow the sale and use of consumer fireworks, though specific rules and regulations vary state to state. Additionally, one state—Massachusetts—has a ban on all consumer fireworks, allowing only professionals to legally set them off.

Next, know the safety risks. A team of eye doctors from University of Iowa Health Care share that fireworks can cause eye damage ranging from eyelid damage to eye ruptures—around 15% of firework injuries involve the eyes, they say, and hospital costs after such an injury can range anywhere from $62,000 to $178,000. One patient, Lisa Dickerson, reflects after losing one eye and adapting to a prosthetic: “I’ll deal with the effects for the rest of my life. Wearing safety glasses might seem like a small thing, but it could save your sight.”

The University of Iowa ophthalmologists, whose program is rated #6 in the country by U.S. News and World Report, also strongly encourage wearing protective eye gear around fireworks. U of I ophthalmologist Erin Shriver, MD, suggests individuals be “extremely careful.” She continues: “Unfortunately, I have seen multiple patients who had severe ruptures of the eye, loss of vision, and ultimately required removal of the eye from fireworks.”

Nearly 15,000 Americans required emergency department visits because of firework injuries in 2024, according to data shared by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Tragically, there were 11 deaths related to fireworks last year—an increase of 38% from 2023.

Injuries to the hands or fingers accounted for 36% of 2024 fireworks-related incidents, while 22% of the injuries affected the head, face, and ears. Adults ages 25 to 44 represented 32% of the reported injuries…but children and young adults ages 15 to 24 represented 24%.

If you do decide to set off fireworks at home, the CPSC offers tips that include:

• Avoid using fireworks if you’re under the influence of any substance
• Keep a source of water, such as a bucket or hose, nearby in case of an accidental fire
• Light fireworks one at a time, moving back quickly
• Don’t attempt to either re-light or pick up any fireworks that haven’t fully ignited
• Though certain products, such as handheld sparklers, may seem fun and safe for children to use, the CPSC advises keeping them away from little ones—about 1,700 emergency room visits were due to sparklers in 2024. Plus, “Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit—hot enough to melt some metals,” warns the agency.

As the American Academy of Ophthalmology says: “Just because a firework is legal, doesn’t mean it’s safe.”

If you want to light up the party with no pyrotechnic danger, the National Fire Protection Association offers a few alternatives:

• Use glow sticks or noise makers instead of sparklers or fireworks
• Host an outdoor movie night
• Grab red, white, and blue Silly String
• Make a festive craft or cake to celebrate the birthday of the USA’s independence.

The neighborhood dogs will thank you, too.

• 16 Things Emergency Room Doctors Never Do on Fourth of July
• A Florida Pediatrician Calls This Fatal Summertime Accident “Silent and Lightning Fast”
• Here’s the Age When You Should Get Your Hearing Tested, According to Experts
• I’m a Hand Surgeon—Here Are 6 Things I’d Never Do in Summer